What is the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Program?

The Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Program is a program created to offer protection to children who have been abandoned, abused, neglected or abandoned by one or both of their parents and cannot be reunited with their family due to these circumstances. In Tennessee, SIJS applicants must first be declared a “dependent of the court” by a juvenile court that has jurisdiction over the child. Once declared an SIJS applicant, individuals must then apply for adjustment of status to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with evidence provided by the court in the form of court orders. If approved, individuals will be granted “lawful permanent residence” status. This status will allow them to be on a path to receive U.S. citizenship. The SIJS Program can also be used by individuals who meet the definition of a “Special Immigrant Juvenile” according to the Immigration and Nationality Act. To meet this definition, an individual must be under the age of 21, unmarried, and be the subject of a state court order that declares them to be dependent on the court, or at risk of abuse, abandonment or neglect. Additionally, the court must also find that reunification with one or both parents is not viable due to abuse, abandonment, neglect, or a similar basis found under state law. The individual must also be able to demonstrate that it is not in their best interest to be returned to their home country. For those in Tennessee, applications must be filed with USCIS, and proof of applicable court orders must also be provided. If approved, the individual can gain lawful permanent residence, and eventually become a U.S. citizen. The SIJS Program is an important part of immigration law as it can provide children in these difficult and often dangerous situations a chance to have a safe future in the United States.

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El Estatus de Menor Extranjero Especial (SIJS, por sus siglas en inglés) es un programa que provee un camino legal hacia la residencia permanente para ciertos niños que han sido abandonados, maltratados, negligenciados o abandonados por sus padres tanto en los EEUU como en otros países. Esta opción es especialmente útil para aquellos jóvenes que no califican para la residencia permanente usando una visa familiar, ya que la edad, el estado migratorio, o la relación con los padres pueden ser una barrera para el proceso de una visa. Además, permite algunos beneficios adicionales, como la autorización de trabajo para el joven, la educación, y el acceso a los beneficios públicos a través del estado de Tennessee. Solicitar el SIJS requiere una petición a la corte de familia de Tennessee. El joven debe presentar pruebas de que éste ha sido abandonado, maltratado, negligenciado, o desamparado por sus padres, y el tribunal debe cerrar el caso y otorgar la custodia primaria al menor. Si el tribunal otorga el SIJS, el joven entonces tiene la opción de peticionar al USCIS para obtener una residencia permanente.

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What is the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Program?

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